Ponomariov challenges Anand

Chess Classic Mainz 2002 held in August this year

This year the Chess Classic Mainz will take place seven weeks
later than the traditional date in June. The world-famous tournament will
be played between 15 and 18 August. There are several reasons behind this
decision: on the one hand, the first day of the tournament is a public holiday
in the south of Germany, and therefore many Chess Classic fans would only
have to take one day off, in order to make their pilgrimage to the Mecca
of rapid chess. On the other hand, defending champion Viswanathan Anand is
already busy with another chess activity at the end of June. The former world
champion from India will compete in Spain in an advanced chess match against
Vladimir Kramnik. Last year the champion from Russia was beaten by Anand
in the play-off match of the 'Duel of the World Champions', after a regular
rapid chess match ended in a draw. As the next opponent for Mainz's defending
champion, organiser Hans-Walter Schmitt has acquired no less a player than
Ruslan Ponomariov! In January this year, the Ukrainian won the world championship
run by FIDE, the world chess association, and became the youngest ever player
on the throne. This will guarantee an explosive set-up as Ponomariov thus
took over from the current no. 3 in the world rating list, former FIDE world
champion Anand. Nevertheless, the Indian still must be regarded as favourite
as he is set to be the world's best rapid chess player. In May he convincingly
won the prestigious Eurotel World Chess Trophy in Prague - at the time Ponomariov
was the only one of the top 16 players who was not competing. Sponsor of
the match is Sparkasse Mainz.

Ruslan Ponomarjow

Viswanathan Anand

The supporting programme is scheduled to be very attractive
as well. Besides the 'man versus machine' (computer) matches, and Ponomariov's
simul with lots of prominent figures, the world's biggest rapid chess open
contest involving 500 participants will take place. There will be a novelty:
players can choose if they want to play normal chess or go for Fischer Random
Chess. The massive prize fund - in 2001 winner Michael Adams alone won 5,100
Euro - will be divided according to the proportion of registered players.
Before the Chess Classic Mainz, Schmitt will launch a competition for ideas
in order to find a catchy name for this type of chess that was invented by
Bobby Fischer. The best proposals will receive some special prizes.